Training given to makhana farmers:-

With an annual average production of 50,000 tones and an estimated market of Rs 500 crore per annum. Scientist says the agronomic management of makhana plant is difficult as it grows in natural water bodies, of 4 to 6 feet depth, as a result of which the crop productivity is impacted. Besides no other crop can be cultivated by the farmers in such conditions. To address the problem, farm scientist of ICAR, DARBHANGA successfully experimented and then the farmers were trained with field cropping of makhana plant. Farmers are trained to choose low-lying fields with clay soil in which direct source of makhana seeds can be done in a chosen formation ( as against transplantation in natural ponds) after raising bunds along the periphery. Farmers are trained to grow makhana as inter- cropped with paddy, berseem (green fodder) and wheat. Farmers are trained according to new researches, that it can be harvested in five to six months. Makhana plantation can be done in March-April and can be harvested in July-august. Then the farmers

can grow rice in the fields after which they can take Rabi crop from the same piece of land.